Waste management firm Biffa is to fit CCTV cameras in its waste collection vehicles to help prevent the deaths of people found sleeping in wheelie bins.

Biffa said the move will complement the thorough checks on waste containers that team members already make before emptying them, which last year prevented 93 fatalities.

It added that the CCTV cameras will further boost safety by identifying and assisting people who regularly sleep in bins, with the information passed onto local homeless charities, enabling them to help find secure accommodation for individuals at risk.

Tim Standring, Biffa's divisional health, safety, environment and quality coach, said: “Falling asleep in a waste container can be very dangerous - we’ve found and assisted homeless people and late night revellers using bins for shelter across the UK.

“All of our waste collection teams are trained to carry out checks for people sleeping in our containers before they are emptied and we are always considering new initiatives to help address this and boost safety.”

High Wycombe-based Biffa hopes to fit cameras to 140 of its 800-truck fleet by the end of the year.

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